Combustion turbine



sept. 19, 1939. A ,0. '5. was 2,173,333

- COMBUSTION TURBINE Filed mw. 11, 1935 5 sheets-sheet 1 3'* 4*? 31a jl@ Joure@ 0f 4/ il@ ow Grade Fuel /354 1 //i/t I 56 2J* 6 y i3 i TI 9 x3 zza `i ,/b 2 6 l 32 i Ri J 38 3U zo.: ,rz n 24 4g g5 12, 1l, 26 'lz/v im? l d 32 W4 'u ,f1 1f 5 12a J6 l A Le -55b JoumceO v M315 LOW Grad/e M Fue 31 4/ 33 In ver: or' Olew ,5. Jaap/65' Sept. 19, 1939. o. B. JAcoBs coMBUsTIoN TURBINE 5 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Nov. ll, 1935 Sept-19, 1939. l o. B. JAcoBs 2,173,333.

Filed Nov. l1, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fa u Jn Ven Z'ar Oies ,5. Jacfab' Sept. 19, 1939.

l o. B. 4.mams

COIIBUSTION TURBINE Filed Nov. 1.1, 1935 5 Shegts-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. v19, 1939 coMBUs'rIoN TURBINE Olcs B. Jacobs, chicaglll.

Application November 11, i935, serial No. 49,134

6 Claims.

This invention is a. rotary combustion turbine for the purpose of providing power to vehicles, pulleys and power take-offs of all kinds.

An important object ofy my invention is the- I provision of an internal combustion engine capable of extreme light weight construction with high power development per pound of weight.

v A further object of my invention is the provision of a combustion turbine without piston or valve construction as commonly found in the conventional type internal combustion engine.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a combustion turbine using a volatile gas as a starting and heating medium and the further coincident useof self-generated steam or water vapor as a medium of propulsion and power generation.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a distinctly simplified form of combustion turbine construction.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a low cost combustion turbine where extremely low and extremely high speeds.

A further object of my invention is the vprovision of an engine which will make thevuse of a conventional gearshift,- otherthan reverse, unnecessary when used on passenger vehicles such as' automobiles, boats and the like. A

Other and still further objects of my invention will ,be apparent from the disclosures in the speciilcations and accompanying drawings.`

The invention in preferred form is illustrated on the drawings and hereinafter more fully descrlped.

On the drawings A Figure 1 is a front `sectional view of the internal combustion engine' taken approximately on the line I-I of Figure 2 showing details of its internal construction.

Figure 2 is aside sectional View ,of the interna] combustion engine taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing internal construction ofthe rotor.l

Figure 3 is a frontal detail drawing of the 'i rotor, showing several sections thereof removed A further object of my invention is the prol vision of a combustion turbine capable of bothv to indicate both external and internal construction of said rotor.

Figure 4 is a side vview of rotor showing in detail the curvature of the surface ribbing and out away in section to show side detail of in'- ternal valve and water discharge outlets.

Figure '5 is a drawing illustrating the directionally opposed ribbing of the casing and rotor.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional View of the rotary compressor taken on the line G-E of Figure l showing the water jacketing, `valve and eccentric detail.

Figure 7 is a front elevational view'of the eccentric and compressor valves,

without the compressor casing, broken to show the vane valves on the rotary eccentric and the delivery channels in the eccentric of said compressor.

Figure 8 yis a cross sectional view taken on the line -S of VFigure l, illustrating the annular groove and holes which carryv gasoline vapor into the rotor.

Figure9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the approximate line 9--9 of Figure 1, illustrating the water passages which carry water from the water jacket into the rotor.

Figure 'lll is a side elevational, View of the starting wheel and the cam and pin whichfits into a selected hole in said starting wheel or gear and positions the rotor for draining fluid from the same.

As shown on the drawings Reference numeral II designates a geared starting wheel rigidly fastened or keyed to the axle I1 of the engine.

If desired a projecting bolt forming a handle or the like i211r may be attached to'this gear to operate rthe same as a crank in starting the engine.

.meral I2 designates the driving gear of a starter which operatively engages of the engine;

the starting wheel Il Reference numerals I3 and lI4 illustrate a pin and cam construction which may be bolted to rotor as hereinafter more fully described. In'

retracted position the pin I3 is xedly held-from contact with said gear I2.

This engine makes use of a conventional type carburator (not shown) attached to a fuel tank (not shown) which allows a mixture of gas and air to besuckedv intothe engine intake pipe I5.

through the Reference nucompressor described hereinafter.

This intake pipe I5 is rigidly attached to the casing I6 which at this point encloses the axle I1, allowing the gas mixture to pass through the annular groove I8 and through the holes I9, thence into the feed line 2l which is hollowed in the central drive shaft I1, thence to the fuel On either side of said annular groove i8 are packing rings to prevent leakage around the sides of shaft I1 and to insure the passage of the gas mixture into the feed line 2|, and thence into the compressor.

The compressor as illustrated consists of a- :cylindrical eccentric 22 xedly mounted on drive shaft I1 as shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7. Within said eccentric are ball valves 22a and 22h, valve '22a connecting with feed line-2| through duct 2|a and being so seated that the said duct may be closed, such closure preventing any .back pressure of gas toward the carburator. Valve 22a is completely closed at all times from the compression side of said chamberby a splined slide 23 which covers said valve and fuel duct 2lb and permits access of fuel to fuel duct 2lb and duct 2Ie through the center of eccentric 22, through portion 2l of drive shaft I1, and said duct 2Ie is open at all times to the intake side of said compressor as eccentric 22 revolves with the axle I'I.

Ball valve 22h is open at all times to the compression side of said compressor, connecting therewith by means of fuel duct 2id with fuel line 2Ie in the interior of drive shaft I1, whence it is conducted into firing chamber as described hereinafter.

Machined on the outer surface of eccentric 22 and extending from the ports of intake valve 22a and exhaust valve 22h in the direction of the rotation of said eccentric, are annular grooves, the

' numeral 22e referring to the groove on the intake 'side and 22a'. referring to that on the exhaust side. As shown in Figure '7, these grooves rotate-immediately under vane valve ports 21h and 21e respectively, each groove being approximately one sixth the circumference of said eccentric.

As shown in Figures l and 6, reference numeral 25 illustrates the cylindrical casing of thev compressor, said casing being mounted so that all ment relative to eccentric 22. Behind the vane guides 28 are spaces 28a which permit reciprocal motion of vanes 21a. This space 28a is jacketed from the water ports in casing 25 which otherwise surrounds all sides of said compressor casing.

Bored through rotary valves 21 through the semi-cylindrical portions thereof, both in front of and behind vanes 21a and at positions in registry with the eccentric grooves 22e and 22d, and

their corresponding valves, are a plurality of vane valve ports 21h and 21c, referring respectively to intake and exhaust portions of said vane valves. j

Packing rings 20a are placed at both ends of said compressor to prevent passage of gas mixture from the compressor around the outside of shaft I1 and to insure passage' of gas mixture through proper channels. i

Enclosed in fuel duct 2Ie is a ball valve 29 so seated that vaporized fuel can pass into the firing apertures 30 through fuel duct 2|f in the rotor, but preventing back pressure into the compressor when the mixture is exploded. In passing to the firing apertures the vaporized fuel passes through holes I9 into fuel duct 2| thence into duct 2|a past ball valve 22a through ducts 2lb and 2Ie through ports 21h to an intake side. of said lcompressor. As' eccentric 22 rotates forcing valves 21 into close proximity to the inner wall of the compressor casing the gas is compressed and is forced through ports 21e past ball valve 22h into duct 2 Id thence into duct 2 Ie, past ball valve 29 and is discharged through ducts 2 I f into the iiring aper-y tures 30.

The firing apertures 30 are placed in positions A on opposite sides of the rotor near the center of the rotor 3|. The sides of these apertures'have an outward slope in the direction of the periphery of the rotor to give the exploded gases the proper initial direction toward the exhaust ports.

Screwed into ports 32a through the rotor casing 33 are conventional spark plugs 32, thefunctioning of these spark plugs being controlled by a conventional condenser and distributor mechanism, which is not illustrated, but which is geared to said engine in an appropriate, position and which is so timed as to intermittently throw a spark to ignite the fuel injected `into the apertures 30 as they pass said spark plugs in rotation.

Rotor 3| and rotor casing 33 are in close juxtaposition at all points and each have oppositely defined curved angularly projecting fins or ribbing on their entire exposed surfaces, 3|a representing the plurality of projecting fins or ribbing on the rotor and 33a representing that on the casing, so that the expansion of the exploded gases between said opposedl fins or ribs will give motion to the rotor. i

The numerals 3Ib and 3 Ic refer to internal and external 'laterally and perpendicularly extending rotor rims respectively, each of which is mounted on said rotor or may be formed integral with thje rotor as shown in Figures 1 and 3 and each being grooved or ribbed on all exposed surfaces-the said grooves or ribs all extending in a direction opposite to the grooving or ribbing on the rotor casing. The exploding gases must pass around the edges of these rims to reach the exhaust ports 34 which are enclosed by the exhaust pipe 35. The exhaust pipe 35 entirely surrounds the rotor casing, its size increasing as 4it approaches the pipe 35a and terminating in said pipe 35a, which directs the exhaust fumes wherever desired.

'I'he rotor 3 is so formed as to have an internal space 36, as shown on the drawings Figs. 1 and 3, into which water may be drawn from the water jacket of the rotor casing in the manner and for the purposes hereinafter more fully set out.

The rotor casing 33 is jacketed, as shown in Figure 1, to allow all necessary circulation of water around the sides of the same. The compressor may also'be jacketed, as shown in Fig. 1, if desired. Relatively limited water circulation is to be provided in the casing 33 opposite the water outlet passages 5|l. The casing 33 must be allowed to become hot enough to convert thewater passing from passages or ducts 50 into steam, giving additional explosive and propulsive energy to the rotation of rotor 3| As shown in Figures 1 and 9, reference numeral 31v indicates a water passageway leadingv fromthe jacket in casing 33 to an annular groove 38 inthe drive shaft 1, connecting by means' 75 of rimessa with water ducts :1a m the rotor and leading into the central portion thereof. To`

vand, controls the flow of water from the rotor water jackets into the internal portion 36 of the rotor 3i.

vAs particularly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9, the rotor casing 33 in its preferred form isl provided with a series of enlarged water chambers 33h arranged in a circle and being in general communication with the other water jacketing of the rotor casing. Free circulation of water between water chambers 33h is provided by the connecting passageways shown on `the drawings and indicated' by numeral 33a.

Reference numeral indicates the internal rotor water ports which connect with outlet jets 41, communication therebetween being permitted by means of centrifugally operated valves 46, which are adapted to be opened by centrifugal force of the rotor against the action of respective spring 4Gb, said spring normally closing valves 46 against respective seats 46a.

As indicated in Figure 2, the water ports. originate near the internal hub of the rotor and "terminate in the valve seats 46a and are closed by respective valves 46, each of which is fastenedv at one end by bolt 46c and held in a normally closed position by spring ISb, the tension of which is subject to regulation by means of screw 46d.

The reference numeral 50 `indicates the water Adischarge ducts of uwhich there are two to each valve, one on each side thereof, discharging from the outer surface of the inner rotor rim 3Ib against the opposed ns or ribbing of the rotor casing. Enclosed within these ducts are ball valves 5i `which allowoutward passage of water vapor but-,do not allow passage" of gases back into the rotor. Y

Reference figure 52indicates the hinged rotor drain valve? mechanism which is set in an aperture 53" in the outerrim of the rotor 3i, saidv valve being retained in a normally closed position by the spring mechanism 52a behind the retaining screw plug 52h. The numeral 54 is used to illustrate the drain valve, which is normally held in closed position against valve seat 54a by coil spring 54h. Illustrated and indicated by numeral 55 are thescrews which hold the outer rotor rim Sic inplace.

In Figure 2 a detail of the rotor drain mecha.- nismis shown, 49a being a crank on which is mounted worm gear 49h which is meshed with segmented gear 49o. 'A finger-like integral projecting arm 49d is formed integral with gear 43o. By turning crank 49a -the projecting arm 49d may be moved into or out of contact with rotor drain valve arm 52 when the rotor 3l is in proper position to permit such contact. This position may be determined by positioning'bolt i3 into proper groove in starting wheel il.

'I'he engine as described above may be modified by' the inclusion therein, as indicated in Figure 1,"of pipes 56 connected with a suitable vaporizing mechanism, for the use of low grade fuels 'such asfuel or furnacecil or the like. 'I'hese pipes terminate in outlet 315s a which discharge through the side of rotor casing 33 directly opposite firing apertures 30. This convstruction is, of course, optional it being in no manner necessary to the operation of the engine aslotherwise set out, but when thus operated the flow of high grade Volatilized fuel may be diminished or entirely shut off and lower grade fuel employed.

`To'start the engine, the pinv I3 is first disengaged from the geared starting wheel il, needle valve 4Il is turned down to prevent water from entering the rotor; crank 49a is then turned so that elements 49e and 49d are withdrawn from contact with rotor drain valve arm 52 and valve 54, which closes under the pressure of spring 52a. 'I'he engine may be'cranked by a crank i2a on wheel ii, or the engine may be started by means of a mechanical starter through pinion gear l2. The rotation thus given the drive shaft causes the compressor to function, sucking a volatile mixture of aerated gasoline vapor from the carburator through intake pipe I5,.thence through annular groove I8 and holes i9 into the fuel duct 2l. i

The mixture then passes through fuel duct 2|a` past ball valve 22a through ducts 2lb and 2ic into an intake section of the compressor. vAs eccentric 22 rotates with the axle I1, the rotary lvalves, which are retained in position at either end by splined rings 26 and are guided in their reciprocal motion by the vanes 21a sliding in vane guides 23, are forced into close contact with the compressor casing 25. This action reduces the space between said valves and surrounding casing and causes the sides of the saine positioned on the eccentric to assume avrelatlvely spaced position. The gas thus compressed, having .no other available outlet is forced through.

ports 21o past ball valve 22h into fuel duct 2id,v

thence through duct 2 le past ball valve 29, thence through fuel ducts 2If in the rotor .to the iiring casing 25. As this occurs the circular portions of the valves 21 are relatively close together, the vanes 21a-being inwardly 4extended almost their full length. Further rotation of the eccentric causes a reversal of this position of the valves,

causing compression in that section in nearest,V 4

contact with eccentric 22 and corresponding intake action on the valves formerly on compression. v

As the gas mixture reaches the firing aperture 30 the spark emitted by the spark plugs causes the mixture to ignite. The exploded mixture having no other outlet is forced between the oppositely grooved sides, 3 la and 33a, of the rotor A3| and the rotor casing 33 around the inner rotor rim 3Ib and the outer rotor rim 3Ic travelling a in all a distance of several times the radius of the rotor, before reaching exhaust ports 3| at ,Y

-the periphery of rotor casing 33. u

As the rotor gains; speed under force of the internal gas explosions the Water valve 4I is.

opened allowing water to ow through duct 31 to annular groove 33, through holes 39, thence through duct 31a and into thespace 36 in the rotor. l Y y When section 33 is filled with water the water covers water port 4l and centrifugal force causes gal force, this valve opens allowing wate'r to pass through the same into ducts 4l thence into passages 50 past ball valves 5l where the water is discharged from the outer periphery of the inner rotor rim Sib.

As the discharged water and water vapor are thrown into contact with the heated rotor casing (which at this point is not water jacketed for the express purpose of providing a heated surface) numerous further explosions caused by the mixture of gas and water vapor take place between the opposed grooved surfaces of the lateral rotor rims and the surrounding casing imparting additional propulsive force to the rotor as the gases move outwardly seeking the exhaust ports 34.

' The speed of the engine may be controlled by regulating the intake of fuel through the conventional carburator and auxiliary fuel feed ducts 5B in manner well known in the art of vaporizing fuel for use in engines and by regulating lthe water flow into the rotor by means of valve 4|, or both.

Although theY rotary compressor is described at some length and it is believed that a rotary compressor would be most satisfactory in use with this engine, it is obvious that any means of feeding a compressed intermittent flow of volatile fuel into the firing apertures would function.

Shaft bearings 43 and M support the drive shaft I1 and aid in reducing friction, butl I may employ such additional bearing surfaces and lu` brication means as shall be most successful in promoting the efficient operation and main processes of this internal combustion engine.

While I havedescribed and illustrated my engine in considerable detail, I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction disclosed herein other than'is necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In a combustion turbine, a fixed water jacketed casing, a plurality of radially extending ribs projecting from the inner surfaces of said casing, a hollow rotatable shaft extending through said casing, an externally angularly ribbed hollow rotor mounted on said shaft, said rotor having a plurality of apertures near the axis thereof,

means for introducing water from said Water' steam generated by the water ejected from 'said outlet ports in said rotor imparting additional rotative force to said rotor.

2. In a combustion turbine, a'housing, radially extending protruding fins formed integral therewith on the inner, surfaces of said housing; an axle mounted therein and passing therethrough;

'a hollow rotor having a plurality of angularly formed apertures formed therein and extending .therethrough mounted on said axle; radially extending protruding dns-formed integral with said rotor angularly mounted oppositee to the flns on the rotor casing; means for introducing water into the hollow interior sections of said rotor and a plurality of centrifugally operated valves adapted to allow the emission of water from said rotor against the inner surface of said housing thereby generating steam and water vapor; means to introduce a volatile fuel into said' casing and explodeY the same within said rotor apertures and means extending through said casing and discharging opposite the apertures in said rotor adapted to introduce a secondary supply of fuel into said rotor apertures and means to explode the same, thereby imparting motion to said rotor.

3. In a combustion turbine an enclosed housing, a centrally bored axle mounted therein and extending therethrough, a rotor having a plurality of apertures near the axis thereof mounted on said axle, said rotor having a plurality of substantiallyparallel curved radially extending ribs formed integral therewith, said ribs forming angular grooves opening opposite to the direction of rotation, said rotor having a hollow interior chamber, said axle and said rotor having communicating passageways therein permitting inlet of water into the interior chamber of said rotor, a plurality of valve controlled outlet ports on the periphery of said rotor, means connected to saidA valves and responsive upon rotation of `said rotor to open and cause emission of water from Within said rotor into said housing, the heat of said housing causing vaporization and expansion of said emitted water 'thereby imparting additional rotative force to said rotor; a plurality of substantially parallel radially extending ribs formed integrally with the yinterior of said housing and radially projecting therein in a direction opposite to the ribs on said rotor but in planes substantially parallel thereto, means for introducing a volatile fuel into said'housing and apertures in said rotor, and means for intermittently igniting said lfuel, the explosion thus produced in conjunction with said emitted water vapor imparting movement to said roto-r.

4. In a combustion turbine the combination of a source of-vaporized fuel, a housing, an axle rotatably mounted in said housing, a compressor adapted to compress a volatile fuel said axle apertures formed therein adapted to receive the compressed vaporized fuel from said connecting passageway in said axle and a hollowed out interna] portion adapted to'contain and discharge A water, said rotor having a plurality of angularly projectingv ribs formed and extending radially thereon, a water-jacketed 'casing surrounding said rotor, having a plurality of angularly projecting ribs formed and extending radially thereon in planes 4opposite to the. ribs on said rotor, a connecting passageway between the water jacket on said rotor to the axle thereof, a passageway in the axle of said rotor adapted to carry water from the passageway in said jacket, communicating passageways in said rotor connecting to the hollowed out internal portion thereof, adapted to pass water irto said rotor, a plurality of centrifugally operated valves in said rotor adapted toV pass water Yfrom said rotor into said casing, means to explode a volatile gas in the apertures in said rotor, imparting movement to said rotor and generating heat in said casing, the explosion generated heat turning the Water passed from said rotor into steam and explosive gas imparting additional rotative movement to said rotor. v

5. In a combustion turbine the combination of a source of vaporized fuel, a'casing forming a housing an axle rotatably mounted -in said housing, said axle having a connecting passageway formed therein at one side thereof adapted tc connect said source of vaporized fuel with a compessor, a compressorl adapted to intermittently compress vaporized fuel, a further passageway in said axle connecting said compressor to a plurality of apertures in a rotor mounted on said axle and rotatable therewith, a rotor having a plurality of angularly formed apertures formed therein adapted to receive the compressed vapor-ized fuel l from said connecting passageway in said axle, and an annular rim on the periphery thereof, said rotor and rim having a hollowed out internal portion adapted to contain and discharge water, said' rotor having a plurality of angularly pro-` jecting ribs formed and extending radially thereon, a Water-jacketed casing surrounding said rotor, having a plurality of angularly projecting ribs formed and extendingradially thereon in planes opposite to the ribs` on said rotor, a connecting passageway between the water jacket on said rotor, a manually operable valve in said passageway adapted to control the ow of water therethrough, a passageway in the axle of said rotorv adapted to carry water, communicating passageways in said rotor connecting to the hollowed out internal portion thereof adapted to pass water into said rotor, a, pluraiity of centrifugally operated water valves in said. rotor adapted to pass water from said rotor into said casing, means to explode a volatile gas in the apertures in said rotor, imparting movement to said rotor and generating heat in said casing, the explosion generated heat turning the water passed from said rotor into steam and explosive gas imparting additional rotative movement to said rotor.

6. In a device of the described class, the combination of a compressor adapted to compress an explosive gas, connecting passageways between said compressor and a rotor in a casing enclosing` said rotor, a hollow rotor having a plurality of apertures near the hub thereof into which the explosive gas compressed by said compressor may be emitted through said connecting passageways, means to explode said explosive gas in said rotor apertures, a plurality of arcuately disposed ribs on said rotor formed and extending from the axis thereof angularly opposite to the direction of rotation of said rotor, a casing enclosing said rotor, a plurality of arcuately disposed and arcuately'extending ribs on the inner surfaces of said casing, curved in the direction of rotation of said enclosed rotor, connecting passageways between a source of water and the internal hollow portion and generating heat and causing the water ex-` pelled from said hollow rotor to be converted intol steam within' said rotor casing imparting additional propulsive force to said rotor.

OLlilS B. JACOBS. 

